Vehicle Ventilating Device

ABSTRACT

The invention concerns an air outlet for a vehicle with an actuator for an air outflow, with the actuator featuring a temperature-inducible deformation effect, and means to trigger the deformation effect.

BACKGROUND

The present invention concerns an air diffuser for a vehicle, inparticular for ventilation, heating and/or air conditioning of thepassenger compartment.

Air diffuser are known for use in vehicles of various kinds. They allowa entry of fresh air, heated and/or colled air into a vehicle interior.Usually, anticipated air diffusers have an air outlet element withpassage ways and which is rotatable around one or several axes. Byorienting the air outlet element the direction of the air stream can beselected.

From patent DE 19721831A1 an air diffuser for the interior of a vehicleis known where the air outlet element features a partial area for adiffuse air exit and a partial area for an unrestricted air exit over alarger area, and where the manner of the air exit can be selected byturning the air exit element.

From patent DE 4338099C2 is also known an instrument panel with alarge-surface perforated air exit surface covering an airduct on oneside, for diffuse air distribution.

Here the large-surface perforated air exit area forms the top side ofthe instrument panel facing the windshield. The air exit area isconnected to an air distributor box which has a perforated ventilationdamper for controling the airstream. Additional air supply devices forthe vehicle interior which allow diffuse ventilation, are for instanceknown from patents DE 3908541C2, DE 1530615 and DE 1909519.

Anticipated air outlets are generally adjusted manually. There arehowever air outlets in the luxury class that are driven by an actuator.

From patent DE 3717676 A1 a vehicle air conditioning unit is known whichhas a bimetallic tab which effects a commutation at a channel branching,depending on the airstream temperature, the airstream intensity oraccording to a time function.

A disadvantage of anticipated air outlets for producing a diffuse flowfield is the flow field is not adequately diffuse, i.e., that it isstill distinguishable as a directed flow field and/or that theconstructive expenditure for obtaining the diffuse flow field isrelatively high.

Furthermore it is also known from the state of the art, to provide avehicle seat with ventilation. In the so-called “climate seat” of theBMW 7 vehicles multistage fans are imbedded in the upholstery of seatand back which circulate air from the vehicle interior through the seatupholstery. By means of balance control heat distribution between theseat are and the seatback can be adjusted individually. Here again it isdisadvantageous that the constructive expenditure for making such aventilated seat is relatively high.

The invention is therefore based on the objective to create an improvedair outlet for a vehicle, as well an an improved instrument panel, aheadliner and interior covering with a ventilating function, as well asa vehicle seat with integrated ventilation.

The objective the invention is based on is being solved with thecharacteristics of the individual patent claims. According to inventionan actuator for the air outflow is used which features atemperature-inducible deformation effect. Furthermore, means areprovided for inciting the deformation effect, in order to achieve adesired setting of the airstream.

According to a preferred design of the invention the actuator is in theform of a flexible strip. When for instance a current is applied to theactuator the actuator gets hot and bends so that an air exit opening isunblocked more or less. Alternatively the deformation effect of theactuator is induced by heating the actuator with a controllableradiation source.

According to another preferred design of the invention the actuator isformed for the arching of an interior covering. For this purpose,several adjacent actuators are for inprovided which each featuring adeformation effect in the opposite direction. Through temperatureinduction of the de formation effect this results in the formation ofair exit openings of varying size.

According to another preferred design of the invention the actuators arearranged on a meander-shaped support. The deformation effect causes adeformation of the support which consequently unblocks a air exitopening.

According to another preferred design of the invention the actuator issupported solidly one one side and detachably on an opposite side. Thedetachable support may for instance be realized with electromagneticmeans.

According to another preferred design of the invention each actuator canbe controlled separately, or groupd of actuators are formed with theindividual groups being each separately controllable.

According to a preferred design of the invention a large-surface airexit area is realized in the area of the instrument panel, the headlineror another interior covering component. For this purpose severalactuators are distributed over the air exit area.

According to another preferred design of the invention one or severalactuators are provided in a vehicle seat for supplying the airstreamthrough the seat surface.

For the realization of the temperature-inducible deformation effect ofthe actuator several suitable technologies may be applied. An actuatormay for instance be realized by sandwiching materials of differentthermal expansion coefficients; when different metallic materials areused, such an arrangement is called a bimetall strip.

According to a preferred design of the invention thetemperature-inducible deformation effect is achieved by using materialswith a shape-memory effect. Appropriate alloys are also calledShape-Memory-Alloys (SMA). Examples for this are the NiPi- and NiTiPballoys. Additional shape-memory alloys are known from “Alloys withShape-Memory”, Dieter Stöckel, Erhard Hornbogen, Expert-Verlag, 1988,ISBN 3-8169-0323-1. Alternatively or additionally conductive syntheticmaterials as they are known in the field of polyelectronics may be used.

The deformation effect is a reversible effect. For this one may use aone-way effect with an additional mechanic readjusting device. Thisreversible effect is based on the fact that so-called memory-alloys areconsiderably less solid in the martensitic state than in thehigh-temperature phase. It is therefore by heating that the deformationof the actuator into the high-temperature form is achieved, for instancethrough the supply of an electrical current. After the current isswitched off the actuator does not automatically resume its originalshape, but it is returned ot its original shape by a force produced byappropriate mechanical means.

Alternatively, a material is used that features a two-way effect. Withthe two-way effect the material “remembers” both the high-temperatureand a low-temperature form. As a special case of the two-way effect onemay also use materials featuring an all-round effect.

Use of materials with shape-memory effect for automotive technology isas such known from “Alloys wwith shape-memory”, chapter 3.8.2, page 92to 94, and notably for fog lights with protective lamella against stoneswith a nickel-titanium spring as memory element and also fortemperature-dependent actuating functions for engines, transmissions andchassis, as for instance for fan clutches of engines, throttling devicesof injection pumps as well as for vehicle transmissions with enhancedshifting behavior. From patent CA 2346260A1 one is also familiar withthe use of shape-memory alloys for the setting/adjusting of a rearviewmirror.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention allows the advantageous use of materials withshape-memory effects for realizing an air outlet for a vehicle. Throughthe use of materials with shape-memory it is possible to create alarge-surface diffused flow field which vehicle occupants find to beespecially pleasant.

According to a preferred version of the invention an appropriatelylarge-surfaced air outlet is integrated into the instrument panel.Alternatively or additionally the air outlet may also be integrated intothe headliner or another interior covering element. And it is alsopossible to integrate an air outlet according to invention into avehicle seat.

In the following some preferred versions of the invention are explainedin detail with reference being made to the drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 a first version of an air outlet in its closed state.

FIG. 2 the air outlet of FIG. 1 in the opened state,

FIG. 3 a second version of an air outlet in its closed state,

FIG. 4 the air outlet per FIG. 3 after driving it to direct theairstream into a first direction,

FIG. 5 the air outlet per FIG. 3 after driving it to direct theairstream into a second direction,

FIG. 6 a cross section of an air outlet in closed condition that isintegrated into an interior covering element,

FIG. 7 the interior covering element of FIG. 6 in its opened condition,

FIG. 8 an interior covering element with a lamellar, parallelarrangement of actuators in the closed condition,

FIG. 9 the interior covering element of FIG. 8 in the opened condition,

FIG. 10 an interior covering element with a meander-shaped support inthe closed condition,

FIG. 11 the interior covering element of FIG. 10 in the openedcondition,

FIG. 12 a perspective view of an instrument panel with integratedlarge-surfaced outlet and

FIG. 13 the instrument panel of FIG. 12 with the outlet in the openedcondition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows an interior covering element 100 of a vehicle. Integratedinto the interior covering element 100 is an outlet which featuresseveral actuators 102. Each actuator 102 has a material layer 104 of amaterial with a temperature-inducible deformation effect.

The material is for instance a shape-memory alloy, i.e., a so-calledShape-Memory-Alloy (SMA). The material layer 104 is in the form ofstrips and fastened at its one end on the support 106.

On the surface of the material layer 104 is an additional layer 108. Thelayer 108 may be a decorative layer or it may be another functionallayer. In the latter case the layer 108 may be of the same material asthe layer 104, with the material in layer 108 being in a differentphase, i.e. for instance in the material layer 104 in the austeniticphase and in the material layer 108 in the martensitic phase or viceversa.

FIG. 1 shows the condition of the interior covering element 100 in itsclosed state. In this state the actuators 102 are in their lowtemperature shape.

By applying a voltage or other induction of current into the materiallayer 104 the temperature is increased by several degrees Kelvin.Alternatively one may also use a radiation source below the actuators102 to increase the temperature. The temperature change causes theactuators 102 to “remember” their high temperature shape and totransition to it, as shown in FIG. 2. Through the transition to the hightemperature shape the actuators 102 unblock air exit openings 110through which air 112 can stream from a fan into the passengercompartment.

When a Shape-Memory-alloys with two-way effect is used for the materiallayer 104, the actuator 102 resumes, after the current or the radiationsource is shut off and due to the cooling caused thereby, itslow-temperature shape shown in FIG. 1. By selecting the current orradiation intensity and thereby the associated temperature it ispossible to regulate the bending of the actuators 102 and thereby thesize of the air exit opening 110.

When using a Shape-Memory-Alloy with one-way effect the layer 108 mayserve for the application of a mechanical restoring force to thematerial layer 104. After cooling of the material layer 104 this layerretransitions to the martensitic phase and is restored to its originalposition by the layer 108 above it, which has been elastically deformedby the high-temperature shape of the material layer 104.

Here is is particularly advantageous that the interior covering element100 with integrated air outlet can be made from a small number ofindividual components and that the air outlet can be controlled by anelectrical current for instance without requiring an otherwise usualservomotor.

These advantages come together with a lower weight. An additionalparticular advantage is that a large-surface air stream from theinterior covering element 100 can be realized with little constructiveexpenditure.

FIG. 3 shows an interior covering element 300. Similar to the interiorcovering element 100 of FIGS. 1 and 2 the interior covering element 300of FIG. 3 does also have actuators 302. Furthermore the interiorcovering element 300 has actuators 303 which are built in mirror imageto the actuators 302.

FIG. 3 shows the interior covering element 300 with closed actuators 302and 303, when the actuators 302, 303 are in their low temperature form.If the temperature of only the actuators 302 is being increased, e.g. byapplying a voltage or inducing a current or through external radiation,these actuators 302 assume their high temperature shape shown in FIG. 4.Thereby air exit openings 310 are unblocked, in order to direct theairstream of the fan for instance for de-icing of the windshield of thevehicle. The actuators 303 remain in their low temperature shape.

If, on the other hand, voltage for instance is applied only to actuators303 so their temperature increases, the actuators 303 assume their hightemperature shape as shown in FIG. 5. This unblocks air exit openings311 in order to direct the fan air for instance into the direction ofthe vehicle occupants.

With the shape of actuators 102 of FIG. 1 or with the shape of actuators302, 303 of FIG. 3 respectively, it may be the low temperature shape oralso the high temperature shape. In this case an increased temperaturemust be present to achieve the clsoed condition of the interior coveringelement 100 or of the interior covering element 300 respectively. Torealize air exit openings 110 or 310 or 311 respectively the voltageapplied to each must be reduced appropriately or shut off, to let thedesired actuators transition to the low temperature shape.

FIG. 6 shows an interior covering element 600 with several actuators 602which are held in place by supports 604. The actuators 602 consists of ashape-memory alloy with a high temperature and a low temperature shape.The shape of the actuators 602 shown in FIG. 6 for instance is the lowtemperature shape.

The low temperature shape of actuators 602 is essentially level. Theactuators 602 carry a decorative layer 606. This may be for instance acasting skin made of polyurethane or PVC, a so-called slush skin or aspray skin. Alternatively or additionally the decorative layer 606 mayalso feature a fabric layer. The decorative material visible from theoutside of the decorative layer 606 may for instance be applied to alayer consisting of polypropylene foam.

By applying a voltage to the actuators 602 a current is produced whichheats the actuator 602 so that they assume their high temperature shape,as shown in FIG. 7. In their high temperature shape these actuators 602are curved upwards. This deformation of actuators 602 changes the shapeof the flexible decorative layer 606. This deformation unblocks air exitopenings 610 through which air can stream into the passenger compartmentin a diffuse manner.

FIG. 8 show a perspective view of the interior covering element 600. Thedecorative layer 606 has incisions along the lines 614 resulting inseveral strips 616 and 618. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 the area of strip616 is built up. In the area of strip 618 the actuators 612 locatedthere undergo during increased temperature a deformation that isopposite in direction to the deformation of actuators 602, i.e., theactuators 612 are curved downward in their high temperature shape.

The interior covering element 600 may feature a multitude oflamella-like strips 616 and 618 arranged side by side with the strips616 and 618 succeeding each other alternatingly. If no control signal isapplied, all actuators 602 and 612 are in their low temperature shapethereby creating an essentially closed surface of the interior coveringelement 600.

Through induction of the deformation effect the actuators 602 transitionto their upward-bent high temperature shape while the actuators 612transition to their downward-bent high temperature shape. This causesthe creation, in the area of strips 616 and 618 convexity in oppositedirections of the surface of the interior covering element 600. Whereadjacent strips 616 and 618 border on each other, the opposingconvexities serve to unblock the air exit openings 610 (compare to FIG.9).

FIG. 10 shows an interior covering element 700 with a meander-shapedsupport 702 for actuators 704 made of a shape-memory alloy. Actuators704 are each arranged on parallel opposing sections of themeander-shaped support 702. The intermediate sections 708 of themeander-shaped support 702 do not bear any actuators 704. The sections706 of the meander-shaped support 702 are solidly connected to theinterior covering element 700. Along the remaining sections of themeander-shaped support 702 there are incisions into the surface of theinterior covering element 700.

Through induction of the deformation effect the actuators 704 transitionfrom their low temperature shape into their upward-bent high temperatureshape, as shown in FIG. 11. This causes the actuators 704 and thesections 708 of the interior covering element 700 opposite the sections706 to unblock air exit openings on the surface of the interior coveringelement 700.

FIG. 12 shows an instrument panel 800 on the upper part of which strips616, 618 are arranged in alternating sequence. On principle these areconstructed as explained above with reference to FIGS. 6 to 9.Preferably the entire surface of the instrument panel 800 is essentiallysubdivided into strips 616 and 618.

FIG. 12 shows the strips 616, 618 in closed condition so that anessentially smooth surface is created on the upper side of theinstrument panel 800. By appropriate triggering of the actuatorsarranged on the strips 616, 618 the upper side of the instrument panelassumes an undulatory structure (compare FIG. 9). This creates amultitude of air exit openings 610 on the upper side of the instrumentpanel 800 as shown in FIG. 13. This results in a large-surface diffuseairstream field which the occupants find to be very pleasant.

Alternatively the upper side of the instrument panel 800 may be equippedwith meander-shaped supports (compare meander-shaped supports 702 ofFIGS. 10 and 11), in order to realize air exit openings by exploitingthe shape-memory effect.

Instead of on the upper side of the instrument panel 800 it is possiblein this manner to create large-surface outlets also in other vehicleparts for the creation of a diffused ventilation. For instance theheadliner as well as side covering elements, seat covering elements andcovering elements of the center console may be used for this purpose.

LIST OF REFERENCE MARKS

-   Interior covering element 100-   Actuator 102-   Material layer 104-   Support 106-   Layer 108-   air exit opening 110-   air 112-   Interior covering element 300-   Actuator 302-   Actuators 303-   air exit opening 310-   air exit opening 311-   Interior covering element 600-   Actuator 602-   Support 604-   Decorative layer 606-   Air exit opening 610-   Stellelement 612-   Linie 614-   Streifen 616-   Streifen 618-   Innenverkleidungsteil 700-   meander-shaped support 702-   Stellelemente 704-   Abschnitt 706-   Instrumententafel 800

1. Air outlet for a vehicle, comprising: an actuator for an airstream,the actuator including a temperature-inducible deformation effect andoperable for arching a vehicle's interior covering; and means fortriggering the deformation effect.
 2. The airoutlet per claim 1, whereinthe actuator is designed as a bending strip.
 3. The air outlet as perclaim 1, wherein at least two adjacent actuators include the deformationeffect in opposing directions.
 4. The air outlet as per one claim 1,further comprising: a meander-shaped support for receiving a pluralityof actuators.
 5. The air outlet as per claim 1, further comprising:several actuators, where each actuator can be activated separately, orwith groups of actuators, and where each group of actuators can beactivated separately.
 6. The air outlet as per claim 1, wherein theactuator is fixed solidly on one side and detachably on an oppositeside.
 7. The air outlet as per claim 1, further comprising an air exitsurface for diffuse air distribution in a passenger compartment of thevehicle, with several actuators being provided in the area of the airexit surface.
 8. The air outlet as per claim 1, wherein the means forinciting the deformation effect is in the form of electrical means forheating the actuator through an electrical current.
 9. The air outlet asper claim 1, wherein the means for inciting the deformation effect is inthe form of a radiation device for heating the actuator by radiation.10. The air outlet as per claim 1, wherein the deformation effect is ashape memory effect.
 11. The air outlet as per claim 10, wherein theactuator includes a material made from a shape-memory alloy or from aconductive synthetic material.
 12. The air outlet as per claim 10,wherein the shape memory effect is a one-way effect and includes meansfor mechanically resetting the actuator following induction of a one-wayeffect.
 13. The air outlet as per claim 10, wherein the shape memoryeffect is a two-way effect.
 14. The air outlet as per claim 10, whereinthe shape-memory effect is an all-round-effect.
 15. The air outlet asper claim 10, wherein the material of the shape-memory alloy ispartially in the austenitic phase and partially in the martensiticphase.
 16. An instrument panel, comprising: a large-surface air exitarea for diffuse air distribution including a plurality of actuators forair exit openings, wherein the actuators are distributed over the airexit area, and the actuators include a temperature-inducible deformationeffect; and means to trigger the deformation effect.
 17. A headliner,comprising: a large-surface air exit area for diffuse air distributionincluding a plurality of actuators for air exit openings, wherein theactuators are distributed over the air exit area, and the actuatorsinclude a temperature-inducible deformation effect; and means to triggerthe deformation effect
 18. An interior covering element, comprising: alarge-surface air exit area for diffuse air distribution including aplurality of actuators for air exit openings, wherein the actuators aredistributed over the air exit area, and the actuators include atemperature-inducible deformation effect; and means to trigger thedeformation effect.
 19. A vehicle seat, comprising: an integrated fan orfan connection; a large-surface air exit area of a surface of the seatfor diffuse air distribution; at least one actuator within the vehicleseat for the airstream, wherein the actuator includes atemperature-inducible deformation effect; and means to trigger thedeformation effect.